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Innovation as a mixed gamble in family firms: the moderating effect of inter-organizational cooperation

Author

Listed:
  • Taewoo Kim

    (University of Louisiana Monroe)

  • Jennifer C. Sexton

    (Mississippi State University)

  • Laura E. Marler

    (Mississippi State University)

Abstract

Despite scholarly attention on family firm innovation, sources of heterogeneity in family firm innovation remain veiled. Drawing upon the mixed gamble perspective, this study introduces and examines a contingency that affects the level of family-owned firms’ innovativeness: inter-organizational cooperation. Based on the idea that inter-organizational cooperation affects family-owned firms’ mixed gamble on innovation, we hypothesize that inter-organizational cooperation mitigates the negative relationship between family ownership and firm’s innovativeness and that the moderating effect varies contingent on the types of cooperative partner and activity. The hypotheses are examined in a sample of 1211 small and medium enterprises in South Korea. The results offer insight into variation in family firm innovation. Our results show that inter-organizational cooperation, especially with non-commercial organizations, is associated with higher levels of innovation. Findings support the idea that family business owners cooperate with external partners as a way to mitigate potential SEW losses often associated with strategic risk. By using a sample of Korean SMEs, we respond to calls in family business research to examine contexts beyond Western countries. Additional contributions, limitations, and future research directions are also discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Taewoo Kim & Jennifer C. Sexton & Laura E. Marler, 2023. "Innovation as a mixed gamble in family firms: the moderating effect of inter-organizational cooperation," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 60(4), pages 1389-1408, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:60:y:2023:i:4:d:10.1007_s11187-022-00668-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-022-00668-9
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    Cited by:

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    2. Paul Sanchez & Robert J. Pidduck & Duygu Phillips & Joshua J. Daspit & Daniel T. Holt, 2024. "From modesty to market: shareholder reactions to humility rhetoric in family and nonfamily firms under media scrutiny," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 63(2), pages 755-780, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Family ownership; Innovation; Inter-organizational cooperation; Mixed gamble perspective;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility
    • D8 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty
    • L14 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Transactional Relationships; Contracts and Reputation
    • L21 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Business Objectives of the Firm

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